Degenerative Disc Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of doctor visit copays, prescription drug copays or coinsurance of 10%-50%. Treatment for degenerative disc disease typically is covered by insurance, but certain treatments might be excluded, depending on the plan.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, treatment for degenerative disc disease can range from less than $200 for hot or cold packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to $50-$350 per session for physical therapy -- a total of hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the number of sessions -- up to $20,000-$150,000 or more for surgery, depending on the type of surgery.
• For example, Drugstore.com charges about $20 for a one-month supply of generic over-the-counter ibuprofen^[1] . And Drugstore.com charges $6 to $60 for cold therapy wraps^[2] and $8 to $80 for hot water bottles and heating pads^[3] . Physical therapy typically costs $50-$350 per session. A microdiscectomy or discectomy typically costs $20,000-$50,000, while spinal fusion surgery costs about $80,000-$150,000.

• In many cases, a doctor will prescribe rest, hot or cold therapy -- whichever provides more relief -- and a pain reliever. Often, physical therapy is recommended; the therapist can show patients exercises that strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility and might alleviate symptoms.
• In cases where symptoms are severe, when a patient is having trouble walking or sitting, or when there is muscle weakness that could indicate nerve damage, surgery might be recommended. Depending on the individual case, symptoms and underlying causes, a patient might need a microdiscectomy or discectomy^[4] , or spinal fusion surgery^[5] . These inpatient surgeries typically require general anesthesia, a hospital stay of up to five days or more and up to two months or more until the patient can resume normal activities.
• WebMD has an overview of degenerative disc disease and treatment^[6] .

• Some patients require a cane, which typically costs about $15-$80, or a walker, which can cost up to $200 or more.
• Some patients require a back brace or corset, which can cost $200 or more.

• Many physical therapists, hospitals and doctors give discounts of up to 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, ARC Physical Therapy^[7] in Illinois offers a 30% discount to cash-paying patients, as well as special waivers or discounts for patients undergoing financial hardship. And Washington Hospital Healthcare System^[8] in California offers a 35% discount.

• A family doctor can provide initial treatment and, if necessary, a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon or other specialist.
• Spine-Health.com offers a locator^[9] for spine centers with teams of specialists who all focus on treatment of spine-related disorders. The American Academy of Neurology offers a neurologist locator^[10] . The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery offers an orthopaedic-surgeon finder^[11] by city, state or zip code. And the American Board of Neurological Surgery offers a neurosurgeon locator^[12] . For epidural steroid injections, it might be necessary to visit a board-certified anesthesiologist^[13] , preferably one who specializes in interventional pain medicine.
• Both orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons can perform surgery for degenerative disc disease. SpineUniverse.com, a site run by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, offers advice on choosing^[14] between an orthopaedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon. In general, what matters the most is that the doctor specializes in and has extensive experience performing spine surgery. Spine-Health.com offers a decision-making guide^[15] about surgery for degenerative disc disease.
• The American Physical Therapy Association offers a physical-therapist locator. Physical therapists are licensed at the state level after passing an exam, and it is important to verify that a provider is licensed. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy offers contact information^[16] for each state licensing body.

1.  www.drugstore.com/ibuprofen/motrin/400mg-tablets/qxn55111068205
2.  www.drugstore.com/fsa-store/cold-and-hot-packs/i-c-e-down/qxg59965-e180f95
3.  www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?Nao=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All...
4.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007250.htm
5.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002968.htm
6.  www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/degenerative-disc-disease-topic-overview
7.  arcphysicaltherapy.com/cost-insurance/
8.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
9.  www.spine-health.com/doctor/spine-center
10.  patients.aan.com/findaneurologist/
11.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
12.  www.abns.org/diplomates/default.aspx
13.  www.theaba.org/
14.  www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/surgery/neurosurgeon-or-orthopedic-surgeon-does-m...
15.  www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disk-disease/deciding-surgery-degener...
16.  /www.fsbpt.org/LicensingAuthorities/index.asp

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Do Body Piercings Cost?		How Much Does a Heart Stent Cost?		How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

In case signing up was a resolution, we cover the cost of diet plans. Need help uncovering your driveway? You may need a snow removal service. The CDC recommends it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year. Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Garden all winter long with an indoor greenhouse.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Radiologist Fee Paid: 350.00 Any radiologist reading your mammogram will be at least $350. They have 11-13 years of training after high school before they begin work. If they are not board certified, watch out. Most are and it beats getting cancer... [more] -Lowes Fan Mammogram Cost DIY Ceiling Paid: 50.00 We bought a house with a cheap paint job. The ceilings were sprayed the same color as the walls. During COVID I painted the ceilings and a bathroom. A 120 square foot room took me about 4 hours (2 coats)... [more] -Lowes Fan Painting an Interior Cost DIY vs Installed Small Deck Paid: 3000.00 We paid $1300 for materials and $1700 for labor on a 100 square foot composite deck plus a redwood gate. It took 30 hours, done last year. My husband built a 100 sf heart redwood deck for about $1000 in materials in 2019... [more] -Lowe's Fan Redwood Deck Cost Colposcopy with biopsy Paid: 756.00 This service was wayy to expensive in my opinion. For a 20-25 minute total visit I had to pay out of pocked 756 - 187 to OBGYN, 229 to pathologist, then 340$ for facility fee or the hospital. I don't even know what that charge was for... [more] -D S Colposcopy Cost Bilateral Diagnostic Mammogram and Third Mammogram Paid: 1389.66 My 2021 bill, still in shock! Weill Cornell, in-network provider, billed my insurance $908 for a bilateral diagnostic mammogram, and $712 for a third mammogram one breast... [more] -GinaF Mammogram Cost shoulder mri Paid: 8000.00 Seriously, 8K for an MRI before all the secret insurance kicks in. I was stuck with a 1200 bill and my insurance is pretty good. This is insane for a 20 minute procedure with no nurse assistance... [more] -stevej45 MRI Cost